Mickey's Man Friday

I've always enjoyed Disney cartoons, and while not among the best of the best I did likewise enjoy Mickey's Man Friday. The characterisations of the native cannibals could be seen as rather blatant, however the music is full of energy and the synchronised action and sight gags have never a dull moment, the best being the final gag, the plant being pulled up around the cannibal and the one with the spears, trees and drum. The animation is always smooth and crisp, the highlight being the Gosh, Cannibals slow motion part, and the story while simple and slightly predictable is engaging enough. Friday(marvellously voiced by Billy Bletcher) is a very pliable character, but it's Mickey's cartoon. True he is not as heroic as he is in Two Gun Mickey and Galloping Gaucho for example, more of the holding fort sort of the character with mild interactions and reactions, but the ways in which he rescues Friday and defeats the cannibals are what make Mickey's Man Friday interesting to watch. Overall, an enjoyable cartoon. 8/10 Bethany Cox

This sort, which is okay, not great, is apart of Disney's past they probably try to ignore. The sight of your franchise being chased by cannibals would not make the suits comfortable, if they can't even acknowledge Song of the South or won't release Runaway Brain. I still can't figure that one out. Or not releasing Redux Riding Hood. It played on ABC a few years back! Oh, well. Mickey's Man Friday is worth seeing if you like Disney or are a completist.

This is an unconventional Mickey Mouse cartoon where he gets stranded on an island, and ends up rescuing a man from a band of cannibals. Later, the two do battle with the savages before escaping in Mickey's raft.

Filmed in black and white, the animation wasn't bad. Mickey is like his heroic self as always, but I thought the man he saved wasn't too memorable - just some character who has too low of a voice.

There are some action scenes but the story gets lost in the unfunny and unexciting adventures. It's just a lot of running around.

For a cartoon short about cannibals, kids today might not like it. Pass on this one.

Grade D